Shifting Houses in London? 20 Packing Shortcuts That Always Work
London is one of the busiest cities in the world, and moving here can feel like solving a giant puzzle. The streets are narrow, flats are small, and schedules are tight. In fact, almost 200,000 people move into London every year, while about 25,000 leave (Top Removals, 2024). That means House Moves London is not only common, but also highly competitive.
The average home in London is just 705 sq. ft., far smaller than the UK average. According to Compare My Move (2024), professional packing can add £333–£575 to removal costs depending on home size. With these numbers, it’s clear: smart packing saves money, space, and time.
That’s why I’ve gathered 20 proven shortcuts for packing. Whether you’re hiring a london home moving company or doing some of the work yourself, these tips will keep your move efficient. And if things get overwhelming, companies like Sameday Removals Ltd are there to help you finish strong.
20 Packing Shortcuts You Can Use Right Now
1. Begin Early
One of the most common mistakes people make with House Moves London is leaving packing until last week. According to a survey by Compare My Move, more than 60% of UK movers said they underestimated packing time. A two-bedroom London flat can take 40–50 hours of careful packing. Starting six to eight weeks early allows you to handle a few boxes at a time, avoid panic, and keep essentials available until the very end.
2. Declutter First
Clutter adds unnecessary weight and costs to your move. Research by Southern Living showed that people throw away or donate over 20% of their belongings before moving. In London, where removal services often charge by volume, decluttering could cut hundreds of pounds off your bill. Go room by room and ask: “Have I used this in the last year?” If not, donate it or sell it online.
3. Essentials Box
The first night in your new home is often chaotic. That’s why every mover should prepare a “Day One” or essentials box. This includes kettle, mugs, tea bags, simple cooking tools, cleaning wipes, toiletries, chargers, and bedding. In a Reddit moving thread, most users agreed this tip “saved their sanity” on the first night. Imagine moving in and not having to dig through 20 boxes just to make a cup of tea.
4. Pack by Room
Don’t scatter items randomly into boxes. Professional packers from London house removals firms always go room by room. For example, start with the spare room, then move to storage cupboards. Save your kitchen and bathroom for last since you’ll need them daily. This method helps with unpacking too, you’ll know exactly where each box belongs.
5. Invest in Good Materials
Thin boxes and weak tape are a recipe for disaster. According to Better Homes & Gardens, 41% of moving damages come from poor packing supplies. For London’s busy roads and stair-heavy flats, invest in double-walled boxes and industrial-strength tape. It’s a small cost compared to replacing broken plates or electronics.
6. Keep Boxes Small for Heavy Stuff
Packing books or tools in large boxes seems efficient but quickly becomes impossible to lift. Instead, put heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items like cushions in larger ones. This is exactly how companies like Sameday Removals Ltd train their staff to load quickly and safely.
7. Label Everything Clearly
A black marker can save you hours. Label each box with the room name and a brief list of contents (e.g., “Kitchen – pans, blender, tea towels”). Some movers even keep a master list on their phone to track which numbered boxes belong to each room. Clear labelling helps a London home moving company unload faster and saves you the headache of opening the wrong box later.
8. Try Colour Coding
Take labelling a step further by assigning each room a colour code; for example, blue tape for bathroom, yellow for kitchen, green for bedroom. Movers see colour instantly, even from a distance. In one case study shared by GB Liners, colour coding cut unloading time by 15%.
9. Protect Fragile Items Properly
Fragile items like plates and glassware need more than just a quick wrap. Use bubble wrap or even better, soft towels and jumpers. Fill empty spaces with crumpled paper so items don’t move inside the box. Don’t forget to write FRAGILE on all sides in big letters. Professional movers say that most breakages happen not during carrying, but when boxes shift inside the van.
10. Vacuum Pack Clothes and Bedding
Bulky duvets and winter coats take up massive space. Vacuum storage bags compress these items by up to 75%, which means fewer trips up London staircases. These bags also keep fabrics safe from dust and dampness if storage is needed.
11. Leave Daily Items for Last
Pack everything except your daily essentials early. Things like toothbrushes, prescription medicines, work laptops, and bedding should go in last. A survey by Compare My Move found that almost half of movers accidentally packed important items too soon, leading to unnecessary stress.
12. Carry Valuables Yourself
Even when using a trusted London house removals company, valuables like passports, jewellery, and financial papers should travel with you. Insurance may cover items, but sentimental loss can’t be replaced. A simple backpack with these essentials will give you peace of mind.
13. Photograph Important Items
Take clear photos of electronics, antiques, and artwork before wrapping. If anything arrives scratched or broken, you’ll have proof for claims. Many London home moving company contracts include clauses about condition reporting, and photos make this process smooth.
14. Bundle Wires and Remotes Together
Few things are as frustrating as setting up your TV and not finding the right remote. Use small zip-lock bags for wires and remotes, then tape them directly onto the appliance they belong to. This shortcut saves hours during unpacking.
15. Use Soft Items as Padding
Instead of buying endless bubble wrap, use what you already own. Wrap glassware in socks, cushion vases with jumpers, and use duvet covers to protect framed pictures. This “double packing” trick not only saves money but also reduces the number of boxes.
16. Make a Toolkit Bag
Unpacking often requires small tools; screwdrivers to reassemble furniture, scissors for tape, or a torch if the electricity isn’t set up yet. Keep a small toolkit bag accessible. Many movers forget this step and end up wasting time looking for scissors inside sealed boxes.
17. Plan for London’s Moving Challenges
London is unique: narrow streets, strict parking rules, and tall houses without lifts. According to GB Liners (2024), over 50% of central London moves involve stairs. Plan ahead by measuring big furniture, booking parking permits, and checking with your building manager. This planning prevents last-minute surprises.
18. Avoid Peak Moving Days
Friday is the most popular moving day in the UK. Data from MoneyWeek shows Friday moves are up to 25% more expensive due to high demand. Choosing a Tuesday or Wednesday can save money and guarantee better service.
19. Use External Lifts for Tall Buildings
If you live in a high-rise with no lift, renting an external lift saves both time and injury. Many professional London house removals companies, including Sameday Removals Ltd, offer this service. It allows large furniture to be hoisted through windows safely rather than forcing them up narrow staircases.
20. Get Professional Help if Needed
At the end of the day, moving is stressful. Packing hacks reduce effort, but a reliable London home moving company can make the difference between chaos and calm. Teams know the city’s hidden rules, parking tricks, and the best ways to handle fragile goods. For families or busy professionals, investing in their help saves time, stress, and even money by preventing mistakes.
Why Packing Shortcuts Matter in London
A survey by Compare My Move (2023) found that 62% of UK movers described packing as the hardest part of moving. In London, this stress is higher because:
- Flats are smaller (average 705 sq. ft.).
- Stairs and narrow streets complicate loading.
- Parking restrictions add extra planning.
Smart packing can reduce the number of boxes, speed up moving vans, and lower the total cost of removal services. And when paired with experts, your move becomes far smoother.
Moving house in London is challenging, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using these 20 packing shortcuts, you cut time, stress, and costs. From early decluttering to colour-coding boxes, each step makes a difference.
If you ever feel stuck, remember that professional support exists. Companies like Sameday Removals Ltd specialise in House Moves London and know how to handle the city’s tight roads and busy flats. Pair their help with your new packing knowledge, and you’ll settle into your home quickly and happily.
